printed baby onesies : diy

One of the first DIYs that I just knew that I would be making since discovering those two blue lines was a printed onesie for our baby. Choosing trendy, gender neutral clothing is not always an easy task. I can envision what I want in my head, but the stores that I visit never seem to have quite what I am looking for. Buying plain onesies and turning them into my own printed design was the obvious solution. I also love drawing on fabric, and don’t have an excuse to do it often.

1. Using plain paper, draw up a few templates of a design that you like. Choose the one that you think will look best. Make a good copy onto a fresh sheet of plain paper. Cut it out and set it aside.

2. Trace your onesie onto either photo paper or a piece of cardboard. Remove, and cut out the outline of the onesie. (The fabric markers have a tendency to bleed through fabric, so this will prevent them from doing so.)

3. Place the photo paper or cardboard inside the onesie. Take the design template and place tape on the back. Tape the design to the onesie.

4. Now using the fabric marker(s), trace the print onto the onesie. Go slowly and carefully, since the fabric has a tendency to bunch. Once it has been traced, remove it.

5. Now fill in the outline of the print. Make sure not to touch the wet areas with your fingers, as the ink can easily be transferred.

6. Once that is done, set the onesie aside for 24 hours. After that time, you may either throw it into the dryer, or iron it to ensure that the ink sets completely.

7. The last step is to wash the onesie, since fabric markers leave a strong odour. Adding vinegar to the wash will help set the ink.

This DIY was extremely fun to make. I now have several onesies set aside for our baby. My sister loved the results so much that she had me make some for her son as well. Honestly, it’s the type of project that is either totally practical for your own children, or would make a perfect gift for someone else’s. Try it out!